Are frozen cans of vegetables or frozen eggs safe to use?

I accidentally left a few cans of vegetables and a carton of eggs in my garage overnight and they froze. Is this food safe to use?

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You can thaw the canned food in your refrigerator and use it right away, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Be sure to heat the food thoroughly.

Freezing can damage the seams or the cans, which could allow bacteria to enter the can and contaminate the contents. Always check the seams of any canned foods. If the seams have rusted or are leaking and the can can is swollen, discard it carefully where no human or animal will eat the contents.

With accidentally frozen eggs, check the eggs for cracks and discard the cracked ones. Keep the remaining eggs frozen until needed, then thaw them in the refrigerator. They will be safe to use and can be hard-cooked. The yolks will become syrupy, however, and won't blend well with other ingredients in most recipes.

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist, NDSU Extension
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